Linear-measuring instrument



Aug, 27, 1929. T. G. HRING LINEAR HEASURING INSTRUMENT Filed May 12. 1926 I Illlllljllllllll Il Illlllllllllll IIII Illllllll Il Il Illl ll IIIIIIII Il FIIIIIII llllll 15 Vmanually moving the Patented Aug. 27, 19249'.

y UNITED STATE-s THEODORE GEORGE HERING, F sT. LOUIS,

PATENT oFFlcE.

MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL SHOE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE. l

LINEAR-MEASURING INSTRUMENT.

Application led May 12,

This invention relates to improvements in line-ai1 measuring instruments and consists in the novel construction hereinafter disclosed. An object of the invention is to provide an instrument whereby the linear length of the perimeter of an irregularly shaped object, such, for instance, as a pattern `for shoe Vamps or uppers, may be accurately measured.

vide a device comprising an actuator adapted to be rotated bypressing the marginal edge of an irregularly shaped pattern against a receiving-channel formed therein,

pattern to measure the length of the perimeter thereof, and translating the linear measurement of the perimeter of the pattern to a visible indicator, whereby the linear measurement of the object may be definitely determined.

Additional advantages of the construction will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan View` of the instrument.4

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 8. Y

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawing, the device is shown as comprising a rectangular case 1 having a glass panel 2, the upper plane ofV which isk flush with lthe upper marginal edge of theside walls ofthe case, said panel 2constituting a work support, and upon which is formed a circular indicating dial 3 divided into any suitable units of measurement, or

a separate dial may be attached to the underface of the panel through which it is visible.

Beneath thepanel 2 and arranged parallel therewith is a supporting plate 4 which may be formed integral with the sidewalls of the housing or made separately and attached thereto.v A short shaft 5V extends through an opening in the panel 2 and through an opening in a boss 6 formed on the underface of the plate 4, said shaft having a reduced cylindrical extension 7 at vits lower end that fits into a bearing member. 8. The bearing member 8 has a central cylin- Anotherlobject of the invention is to prooperation.

1926. serial No. 108,468.

opening therein through which the shaft 5.

extends. The block 11 is alixed tothe upper face of the plate 4 and has diametrically arranged radial indicating lines 12 thereon for centering the pattern to be measured, as

wfill be described more particularly hereina ter.

The portion of the shaft 5 that extends above the top of the panel 2 carries a roller 13 in the periphery of which is formed a V-shaped groove 14. The shaft 5 is rotated f :by pressing the marginal edge of the pattern 15 frictionally against the base of the groove 14 and the pattern Y is manually moved throughout the length of its perimeter, the

' linear movement of the pattern being translated into a rotary motion of the shaft 5.

In order to accurately determine the start-y ing and completion point of the -perimeter of the pattern, if the pattern is one that includes any pointed Vor angular formation, the apex of the angle is alined with the indicating marken one side of the member 11, thereby placing said apex in a radial planel passing through the indicating mark on the opposite side. When the pattern has been moved around the marginal edge and the starting point reached, the apeX of the angular portion is again alined, indicating the exact point of beginning of' the ymeasurement y Ifthere is no natural formation of the pattern that can be readily alined with the indicating marks 12, a line may beV drawnV on the edgel of the pattern, which will serve the same purpose as the angular formation by placing the line ina plane passing through the opposed radial lines 12.

The shaft 5 carries near its lower end a Vpinion 16 which meshes with a gear 17. The

ing member 19, said bearing member 19 having a central cylindrical recess, the bottom of which forms a seat for a ball bearing 2O upon which the lower face of the shaft 18 rests.

The bearing member 19 is supported from the bottom face of the plate 4 by a U-shaped bracket 21 attached to said plate. The gear 17 meshes with the indicator gear 22, said gear 22 being integrally connected with a` boss 27 formed on the underface of the plate 4 and an indicator in the forni of a pointer 28 is connected with the upper end of the shaft 23.

The gears '17 and 22 have the same'number of teeth and the gear ratio of the pinion 1.6 with the gear 17 is equated with the ratio between the circumfei'ence of the base of the groove 14 of the friction roller andthe circumference of the measuring dial over which the indicator or pointer 28 travels.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the linear measurement of the perimeter of the irregular pattern may be translated into any unit of measure and that by including the idler gear 17, thc direction of rotation of the pointer will'be the same as the direction of rotation of the friction roller which is preferably in a clockwise direction.

It is contemplated that the device shall be made of a size so that it is readily portable.

It is also preferred that the case be provided with frictionally resilient feet 29 so thatfit may be 'conveniently mounted on a permanent support.

I am aware that the invention may be `modified without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, but what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z*V 1. An instrument of the class described comprising a housing, a transparent panel formf ing the upper wall of the housing, an indieating dial visible through said panel, an indicator cooperating with said dial, a shaft for said-indicator, a roller extending above the upper face of said panel, a shaft for said roller, and gearing between said last named shaft and said indicator shaft.

2. An. instrument of the class described comprising a housing, a transparent panel forming the upper wall of the housing, an indicating dial visible through said panel, 'an indicator cooperating with said dial, a shaft for said indicator, a roller extending above the upper face of said panel, a shaft for said roller, and gearing between said last named shaft and said actuator shaft including a pinion on said roller shaftan intermediate gear meshing therewith and a gear on the actuator shaft meshing with saild intermediate gear.

3. An instrument of the class described comprising a housing, a transparent panel forming the upper wall of the housing, an indicating dial visible through said panel,

an indicator cooperating with said dial, a

shaft-foi" said indicator, a roller extending above the upper face of said panel, a shaft for said roller, gearing between -said last ynamed shaft and said actuator shaft including a pinion on said roller shaft, an intermediate gear meshing therewith and a gear on the actuator shaft meshing with said iiitermediate gear, and non-frictionalbearings for said shafts.v

4. Alinear measuring instrument comprising a support, a circular indicating dial on said support, a rotary' shaft'having its axis in alinement with theaxis of said dial, an indicator attached to Ysaid shaft for cooperation with said dial,-a rotary shaft extending y downwardly through said work support, a roller attached to said second shaft above said'work support for engagement with and operation by the work,and gearing operated by said second shaft for operating said rst shaft and vthereby said indicator.

5. A; linear measuring instrument comprising a flat support, a circular indicating dial on said support, a shaft in axial alinement with the axis of said dial, an indicator on said shaft below said support and operated by said shaft to cooperate with said dial, a rotary shaft extending downwardly through said support, a roller attached to said second shaft above said support for engagement with and rotation by the work to be measured, and mechanism below said work support and operated by said second shaft for operating said first shaft and thereby said indicator. v

6. A linear measuring instrument comprising a transparent work support, a circular `stationary indicating dial arranged for observation through said support, a rotary shaft coaxial with the plane of the axis of said dial, an indicator attached to and visibly operated by said shaft below said work support for cooperation with said dial, both said dial and said indicator being visible through said work support, andmechanism operated by the work on said support for operating said'shaft and thereby visibly operating said indicatorwhilethe work is visibly operated in connection with said mechanism.

7. A linear measuring instrument com-- prising a transparent work support, a circular visible stationary indicating dial, a rotary shafty coaxial with the plane of the Vaxis of said dial, an indicator attached to and operated by said shaft below said work support for cooperation with said dial, a shaft eX- tending downwardly through said support, means for rotating said second shaft by the work on said support, and mechanism below said support and operated by said second shaft for rotating said first shaft.

8. An instrument of the character described comprising a support, a transparent panel7 means for supporting said panel spaced above said support, an indicating dial visible through said panel, an indicator between said panel and said support for cooperation with said dial, a shaft projecting through said support and having its upper end connected with said indicator, a roller above said panel, a shaft extending through said support and said panel and having its upper end attached to said roller, and gearing for operating said rst namedshaft by said second shaft.

9. An instrument of the character described comprising a supporting element, a transparent panel element supported in spaced relationship above said supporting element, an indicating dial visible through said panel element, an indicator between said elements, a shaft projecting upwardly through said supporting element and having its, upper end attached to said indicator, a second shaft projecting upwardly through both said supporting element and said panel element, a roller attached to said second `shaft above .said panel element, a pinion on the lower end of said second shaft, a gear attached to said first shaft, and means for operating said gear by said pinion.

THEODORE GEORGE HERING. 

